Platform construction



Nov. 17, 1931. c ERWIN 1.832.537

PLATFORM CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 10, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet l 3 6 Q Inventor iaz'Z 2710. '70

A iiomey Nov. 17, 41931. c ERWiN PLATFORM CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 10, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor (Mr/es 29w? By @waoizw A iiorney Patented Nov. 17, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIC CHARLES ERWIN, OF AKRON, OHIO PLATFORM CO NSTRU'CTION' Application filed February 10, 1930. Serial No. 427,267.

An important object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth,

a platform construction having a novel construction and arrangement of telescopic exte-nsible legs for supporting same whereby the height of the platform may be expeditiously regulated asdesired.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a platform of the aforementioned character which includes automatic latching means operatively associated with the legs for securing the platform in adjusred position.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a platform construction which is particularly adapted for use in indoor work by painters, paperhangers, interior decorators or the like and which will be simple in construction, strong, durable, efficient in its use and which may be manufactured at low cost.

All of the foregoing, and still further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein like charactersof reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a platform construction in accordance with this invention,

Figure 2 is an end elevation thereof,

Figure 3 isa fragmentary detail view in bottom plan showing the hinge connection whereby the legs are secured to the platform,

Figure l is a detail view taken substantiallv on the line 4-4 of Figure 1,

Figure 5 is a detail View in perspective showing one of the supporting legs,

Figure 6 is a fragmentary detail view in vertical section through one of the supporting legs with the securing means in operative pos tion, V

Figure 7 is a fragmentary view in side elevation of one of the folding braces for A the legs,

Figure 8 is a fragmentary detail view in vertical section through one of the legs with the securing device in inoperative position.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the reference character 1 designates a pair of spaced, parallel, coextensive beams orbars upon which the transverse boards or planks 2 are mounted. As illustrated to advantage in Figure 3 of the drawings, a metallic plate 3 is secured to the opposite end portion of the beams 1 on the lower sides thereof and said plates terminate substantially flush with the end of the beams and are formed with a hinge eye 4 on their outer ends in which eyes are swingingly mounted the pins 5 which have a right angularly disposed downturned end portion 6 upon which is rotatably mounted the eye 7 of a hinge leaf 8 which is mounted on the upper end portion of an elongated substantially rectangular sleeve or casing 9 which is preferably formed of a suitable metal. I

Mounted for vertical sliding movement through each of the casings 9 is an elongated supporting leg 10 of across sectional shape conforming to that of the casing 9 and said legs are formed of any suitable light material, preferably wood. Each of the legs 10 is provided with a series of elongated, longitudinally spaced slots 11 extending there through and adapted to be brought into registry with the opposed slots 12 provided in opposite walls of the sleeve 9 as the legs are adiusted vertically in said sleeves.

Upon the outer side of the sleeves 9 a pair of complementary ears 13 are rigidly mounted and said ears extend downwardly below the upper endof the adjacent slots 12 in said casing;

A keeper bar 14 is pivotally mounted for swinging movement in a vertical plane between the outer end portion of the ears 13, as at 15 and it will be noted that the pivot pin 15 is disposed in the ear 13 at a point below the horizontal planes of the upper ends of the slots 12 in the casing 9.

The pivoted end of the keeper bars 14 terminate in a substantially U-shaped portion 16 to which is anchored one end of a contractile spring 17 having its opposite ends connected to a bracket 18 mounted on the casing 9 below the slot 12. As illustrated to advantage in Figures 6 and S of the drawings, the keeper bar 14 is adapted for swinging movement through the slots 11 and 12 of the leg 10 and easing 9 for the purpose of maintaining the platform in adjusted position.

Foldable braces are provided for a supporting leg and said braces comprise a. pair of rigid metallic arms 18 and 19 pivotally secured together at one end, as indicated at 20 in such a manner that one end of the arm 18 overlaps the arm '19 beyond the pivot point thereof.

The opposite ends of the arms 18 and 19 are hingedly connected to the lower end por tion of the casing 9 and the lower sides of the beams 1 respectively. A collar 21 is slidably mounted on each of the arms 18 and is adapted to be disposed around the overlapping portions of the two arms in a manner to lock same together in longitudinally alined position. as clearly indicated in Figures 1 .and a of the drawings.

As seen in Figure 2 of the drawings, cross braces 22 have their opposite ends secured to the upper and lower end portions of the easings 9 on the outer sides thereof for the purpose of lending rigidity and strength to the legs when the platform is in use.

From a study of Figure 6 of the drawings, it will be seen that the keeper bars 14 are of sufficient length to extend entirely through the casing 9 when said keeper bars are in operative position. The tendency of the spring 17 is to yieldingly urge the keeper bars transversely through the slots 12 of the casino: 9 into engagement with the upper end of said slots.

In use, when it is desired to elevate the platform, the operator simply slides the easing upwardly on the supporting leg 10. hen this operation takes place. the keeper bars move upwardly through the slot 11 until they engage the upper end of the slot when a continued upward movement of the casing relative to the legs will cause said keeper bars to be swung outwardly against the tension of the coil springs substantially to the position shown in Figure 8 of the drawings.

Vhen the platform has been elevated to the desired height, the same is permitted to drop downwardly a slight distance which will cause the keeper bars to enter the nearest one of the slots 11 in the legs 10 which is thereheneath and said bars are thus permitted to again swing upwardly into engagement with the upper end of the slot 12 of the casing 9.

A. continued downward movement of the casing will cause the keeper bars 14; to seat in the lower end of the slot 11 and in this position the casing 9 will be supported therein, as clearly seen in Figure 6. When it is desired to lower the platform, the casings 9 are elevated on the legs in a manner to cause the keeper bars to be swung out of engage ment with the slots 11 and 12 and the operator then maintains said keeper bars in this position in any suitable manner and the easings are free to be lowered on the legs.

When the platform is not in use, it is folded to occupy a minimum space by simply breaking the braces in the manner illustrated in Figure 7 and swinging the casings 9 with the legs 10 therein upwardly beneath the platform and substantially parallel therewith.

It is believed that the many :ulvaniagcs of a platform construction in accordance with this invention will be readily 1n1der:ttood, and although the pref-erred embodiment of the invention is as illustrated and described, it is to be understood that changes in the details of construction may be had which will fall within the scope of the invention as claimed. Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is:

1. A device of the character described comprising a platform, casings mounted on the platform, said casings being provided with slots intermediate their ends, supporting lees mounted for vertical adjustment. through the casings and having slots therein adapted to be brought into registry with the slots in the casings and a spring controlled keeper bar pivot-ally mounted on each casing and adapted for swinging movement through the registering slots of each casing and the respective leg for securing said leg in adjusted position. said keeper bar being swung outvv'ardly to releasing position by engagement of the top wall of the slot in the leg when the casing is moved upwardly on the leg.

.2. A device of the character described comprising a platform, elongated hollow casings pivotally mounted on the platform, each of said casings being provided with slots in its opposite sides intermediate its ends, supporting legs mounted for vertical adjustment longitudinally through the casings and each leg being provided with a series of spaced,

longitudinally extending slots adapted to "be selectively brought into registry with the slots in a casing, a keeper bar pivotally mounted on each casing adjacent the slots therein and adapted for swinging movement through the registering slots in the casing and the respective leg and further being adapted for engagement with the upper ends ot the casing slots and with the lower end of the leg slot when said keeper is in operative position, and resilient means yieidingly urging the keeper bars into the slot, said keeper bar being swung outwardly to releasing position by engagement of the top wall of the slot in the leg fvhen the casing is moved upwardly on the 3. A device of the character described comprising a horizontally disposed platform, elongated hollow casings hingedly mounted on the platform, each casing being provided, in its opposite walls and intermediate its ends with opposed longitudinally extending slots, supporting legs disposed for vertical adjustment longitudinally through the casings and each having a series of spaced, longitudinally extending slots adapted to be brought selectively into registry with the slots in a casing, a pair of complementary ears rigidly mounted on each casing on one side thereof and extending below the upper end of the adjacent slot, a keeper bar pivotally mounted between the ears at a point below the horizontal plane of the upper ends of the casing slots and adapted for swinging movement through said slots in the casing and the respective leg for engagement with the upper ends of the casing slots and adapted to seat on the lower end of the respective leg slot when the keeper bar is in operative position, and a resilient coil spring connected to the keeper bar and to the casing in a manner to yieldingly urge said bar into the slots, said keeper bar being swung outwardly to releasing position by engagement of the top wall of the slot in the leg Ivhen the casing is moved upwardly on the In testimony whereof I ailix my signature.

CHARLES ERWIN. 

